Downing, who started in the No 10 role on his competitive debut since his £7m summer move, was heavily marked throughout with Preston pair John Welsh and Daniel Johnson keeping tabs on the 31-year-old.

"We knew it was going to be a really tough game," Grayson said after the match.

"We had to make sure the gameplan we trained with for the last 10 days was executed, and we always knew we'd get chances - no matter who we play.

"The players worked extremely hard, carried out the gameplan and on another day we could have quite easily had a couple of goals.

"We've limited Middlesbrough to hardly a shot on target, which is some achievement given the players they've got. So I'm satisfied with a professional performance with some good quality at times.

"(John) Welsh sometimes goes unnoticed with the work he does, he made a real conscious effort to make him stop Stewart Downing from playing to start with as he's a major threat.

"I think the way we played last season, John always used to sit back in front of the back four. We knew Downing would play in that (No 10) postion so he was ultimately told to be around him as often as possible.

Preston North End manager Simon Grayson

"But he wasn't told to follow (Downing) everywhere on the pitch as we could pass people on. They've got other good players who can hurt you, but our midfield three had to make sure they stayed close to (Grant) Leadbitter, Adam Clayton and Downing as they can hurt you."

Preston created the more clear-cut chances in a match that left Karanka's side frustrated, with Will Keane's first-half effort cleared off the line and centre-back Bailey Wright heading wide from a corner.

But the spotlight fell on Joe Garner on 28 minutes, who appealed for a penalty in a goalmouth melee after believing he was held back by Boro defender George Friend.

Grayson believes it was a penalty - but refused to be too critical of referee Christopher Kavanagh.

On the penalty incident, Grayson said: "I've just seen it now, he's got the right side for us and probably the wrong side for the defender.

"(Friend) has probably got his arms around him, I'd have taken it if it came along but if it went against us it may be different. I'm not going to be berating officials, not at this stage of the season anyway.

"We had chances. Bailey Wright should have at least hit the target from a set piece, Will Keane had a shot cleared off the line, so we were threatening.

"If you look back Grant Leadbitter had a good chance but you can expect that against a team like Middlesbrough, they've got some good players.

"If you look at their squad, they pass the ball and we knew we had to let them have it at times, but also we knew we could hurt them with our play.

"We were really solid through the middle of the pitch because (Boro) like to play through you, and the gameplan was carried out really well."